World IN BRIEF / SYRIA

Assad Is Reelected With 99.98% of Vote

President Hafez Assad, Syria's leader for 28 years, has been reelected to a fifth seven-year term after winning 99.98% of the vote in a national election, the interior minister said in Damascus. Assad's victory was a foregone conclusion, as there was no other candidate. Celebrations began as early as Jan. 14 when parliament, which is dominated by a pro-government coalition, nominated Assad. Interior Minister Mohammed Harba noted that 219 voters said "no."